Friday, So Glad You're Here!

Happy Friday, friends! Today's Friday post will be short and sweet due to my wrists hurting. Dang you carpal tunnel!

Linking up with my favorite Friday gals. 

 April | Christina | Natasha

 Andrea | Erika

Karli

{ONE}

This song! Backup some... school drop off hasn't been the easiest for Brylee, or myself for that matter. She never wants to go and is always clung onto me. Well all that changed this week. I guess just like every other milestone in life, when she's ready, she's ready! Every day this week I get tears in my eyes seeing my baby big girl kiss my cheek (what?!) and lead her way through the gate herself. So today as I was leaving her school I heard this song on The Highway and I love it!! I don't know how long it's been out but today was the first time I've actually heard it and listened to the words. It definitely gave me all the feels, as if I didn't already have them!

{TWO}

I posted my Valentine's Day Gift Guide For Her yesterday. There's lots of red and pink goodies on there you should go check out. :)

{THREE}

Before leaving McAllen I cancelled our Netflix account and really haven't missed it that much because we don't watch a lot of TV, but you better believe I just renewed our account all for this:

If you don't already, follow Candace Cameron Bure on Instagram. She posts a lot of sneak peaks! And check out this video also; it gave me chills! Now I need a Friends reunion! ha!

{FOUR}

This guy. He's a favorite, too. Today is our dativersary and I'm so glad I get to do life with him.

And because my fingers are numb and my hands resemble Barbie's, that's all I have for ya today! I'm crossing my fingers that I'll have something new ready Monday. You'll just have to check back then to find out. :)


Have a great weekend!
Leah

Valentine's Day Gift Guide- For Her

Yay! It's almost February! Bring on the hearts, flowers and chocolate galore! Well, that is, after the Broncos win the super bowl. I've also rooted for the Panthers all season long, but I'm a Broncos fan.

Now, enough about football and on to what really matters. Tate, if you're reading this, take note. ;)

 Here are some things that I've been wanting or that I have and think are awesome!

 Hunter Boots | Kate Spade Studs | Kate Spade Watch | Michael Kors Tote

Kendra Scott Dani Earrings | Clarisonic Mia 2 | S'well Bottle | Dolce Vita Booties

Kitchen Aid Hand Mixer | Ugg Slippers | Scarf | Boxer Pajamas

1. Who doesn't love the Hunter boots? Tate got me the matte black pair for Christmas and I love them so much! The red ones are so pretty.
2. I have two pair of the glitter studs and bought several of these for Christmas gifts. Needless to say, everyone that has them loves them!
3. This watch is gorgeous! Tate got me this one for Christmas and I love it. White and Rose Gold just scream spring to me.
4. Mama needs a new purse! I love the size and color of this one.
5. I love my Kendra Scott earrings and the red pair is perfect!
6. My Clarisonic would have to be my hands down most favorite purchase of 2015! My skin was terrible and it has changed so much thanks to this. I got the Mia 2 because my skin is sensitive and it has the lighter speed setting for when my face does start acting up. I love it and it's totally worth every penny!
7. Confession: I have a slight obsession with bottles! I drink so much water a day and because of the amount of water bottles I was going through I decided to invest in a small filter system and do away with plastic ones (almost, because Tate still uses them) . I like one that doesn't sweat and keeps my drink cold. This keeps cold drinks cold for 24 hours and I love that!
8. I've been eyeing these booties for so long! I needed a black pair and fell in love with these the first time I saw them. Earlier this week I got an email from Dillards showing mark downs on boots and booties and these were on there! Tate, did you get that? These are on SALE!
9. We, being Brylee and I, love to bake! Tate loves it when we bake because he gets to enjoy the goodies! With that being said, my mixer has just about bit the dust. I don't even care which color, but isn't that pink just so pretty?
10. It's no secret that I love my Uggs but they're not the greatest for just lounging around the house. I need these slippers in my life.
11. Just like shoes, I have a scarf obsession. As I was getting ready yesterday it occurred to me that I don't own a red one. What? I would love this one. Psstt, it's less than $20!
12. Another confession: I just sleep in Tate's old college shirts and yoga shorts. I own multiple pair of pajama sets but I hate sleeping in pants. I love that these are shorts! So perfect!

And there ya have it! Lots of pink. Lots of red. Lots of love. Because Valentine's Day. :)

Be Blessed,

Leah

What's Up Wednesday | January

It's the last Wednesday of the month so that means it's time to link up with Mel, Shay and Sheaffer for What's Up Wednesday! I love these because they are like a monthly catch up to see what everybody has been up to. This month seems to have flown by and I'm not even upset about it; I think January is my least favorite month because it just feels so blah!

What we're eating this week...

Monday: Meatloaf -  This time I swapped out ground beef for ground turkey and it was still so good! Tate said never again, although he did admit to liking it, he's just stuck in his ways. :)

Tuesday: Bean Soup (another choosing of Tate)

Wednesday: Beef Fajitas

Thursday: Sausage and Potatoes (why did I let Tate help with meal planning this week?)

Friday: Basketball game so dinner will be out somewhere.

Saturday: Burgers

Sunday: Grilled Shrimp and Steak 

What I'm reminiscing about...

Friday is our 'date-iversary' so I'm reminiscing about the day's of just us two. It's hard to remember what life was like before Brylee. 

What I'm loving...

This tunic! I talked about it on Friday and, although it's on backorder, I've already ordered two more and one for a gift! I just hope she loves it as much as I do. I'm 5'7 and it's long enough on me to just wear with leggings. I love it! 

What we've been up to...

Well softball started for Tate so we kissed him goodbye until May. We went to Odessa last weekend for a my niece's (first) 2nd birthday party! She is foster to adopt so I don't have any pictures of her sweet face and that's why I say her first party. :) Gotcha day is soooo soon and we cannot wait. Other than that, that's all we've been up to. 

What I'm dreading...

Ripping up our carpet! Oh the mess! I'm pretty sure the carpet in the house was the same carpet that was there when the house was built. It's so old and so dirty and don't even get me started on the stains! I steam cleaned it before Christmas and the water was black! Gross, I know. Needless to say, we are ripping it up and putting in wood floors and I'm so excited!

What I'm working on...

Something fun! :) When it's ready I'll share and I cannot wait!

What I'm excited about...

A weekend of nothing planned and warm temperatures! Just look at that!
 

What I'm watching/reading...

 Watching: The Bachelor, Total Diva's and I was watching The Royals. Sadly I have to wait until fall for next season and that's soooo far away! And about Total Diva's.. Tate is a HUGE WWE fan. I mean complete nerd over it. Monday nights would be switched between football and Monday Night Raw in our house (until Bachelor, that is) so I had two choices: become interested in WWE or do something else. Insert Total Divas! I'm a total E! junkie and I was hooked after the first episode. I'm not sure if it was the actual drama or John Cena, but either way, I love it. So now when I do get stuck watching WWE, I pay attention to the Divas. :) 

Reading: I just finished PS I Love You and now I'm reading The Husbands Secret. 

What I'm listening to...

Currently, Brylee is watching Sofia the First while I'm working on this.

What I'm wearing...

I just finished working out... so my favorite Nike shorts and a t-shirt!

What we're doing this weekend...

As mentioned above, we have no plans but the weather will be nice so who knows!

What I'm looking forward to next month...

What's not to look forward to? Superbowl 50! Valentine's Day! My mom's birthday! So much love in February!

What else is new...

I'm pretty sure I've covered everything.

What is my favorite Valentine's Day treats...

Anything covered in chocolate. Seriously, send me an Edible Arrangement with extra pineapples and I'll be on cloud 9!

Be Blessed and have a great day!

Leah

Let's Talk - New Years

Hi blog friends! I totally didn't mean to skip yesterday because I was going to post my #dailyleah but I spent over half the day working on some new stuff (yay!) and then decided to call it quits and watch The Bachelor! 

Today I'm linking up with Andrea and Erika on their new "Let's Talk" series! They did a Favorite Things series last year and I missed a lot so I'm excited to join in this year. Today is all about the new year - resolutions, goals and what to look forward to. 

I shared in my Reintroductions and Resolutions post that I don't have resolutions, I have yearly goals with monthly 'to do' lists. I shared my January to do list here. I'm happy to say my boxes are being checked off and that makes me happy. :) One thing on my to do list was to read 2-3 books this month so I took to pinterest and found a ton of reading challenges. None really caught my eye so I decided to make one myself. Feel free to take it and join!  

Another one of my goals/to-do's was to update my blog. I've been playing with the idea of a new blog for a while now and finally made one! Only problem is that I cannot seem to get it connected to bloglovin! Waahhh! Why? Anybody tech smart and maybe know something I don't? Your help would be appreciated! I'm so excited to share it with you and once I get everything figured out, I will. :) 

As far as things to look forward to, lots! :)

This guy and I will celebrate our "date-aversary" this week!

My new niece will be here within the next few weeks and I cannot wait to meet her!

I have a feeling this summer will be fantastic! We don't have any plans yet but I'm hoping Tate and I can get a vacation in there at some point because...

We're (hoping, fingers crossed, I'm so excited) taking Brylee to Disney World for her birthday in late December! She keeps seeing it on TV and I think 4 will be the perfect age to go for the first time. Ha.. who am I kidding, 27 will be the perfect age to go for the first time! Yes, I'll be turning 27 this year and no, I've never been! 

So that's that for today. I'm going to continue working on the new blog, and again, any help will be totally appreciated!

Have a blessed Tuesday!

Leah

Friday | 1.22.16

Who isn't excited for Friday? Brylee had a terrible cough all night last night so I didn't get much sleep. I burned my ear on my flat iron. I didn't start my car early this morning because I didn't think it was that cold outside, wrong. It was. And while I was scraping ice off my window it went down my sweater. It was 7:57 and I have to be at work at 8. I called in to let them know I'm running late and still have to go get B's medicine. I hate being late. Hate it! I forget to grab Brylee's drink as we leave so I told her she could have some of my water. She looks at me and says "I don't exactly like water mom, but I'll take it because I'm thirsty!" I about died laughing. It's the little things, y'all!

Which brings me to this! I'm so glad it's Friday and we have 2 free days ahead! Tate starts softball today so tomorrow we are having a Brylee date and so far she has chosen Chuck E Cheese (which I really hope she changes) and to go see the new Alvin and the Chipmunks movie. :) Now, on to my Friday Link Ups. Because I skipped last Friday, some are from last week but too good to not share.

 

Andrea / Erika

April / Christina / Natasha

Karli

ONE | FAVORITE MOMENTS

Saturday night we had the Fall Sports Banquet. My dress did NOT make it in, which I wasn't please about, but luckily I did have a back up plan. I originally wanted this dress from Nordstrom but when I tried it on in store it was entirely too short :( but I was determined to wear a navy lace dress. That brings me to this dress. After shopping all day we met my cousins for lunch and I convinced Tate to go by Kohls reallllll quick and just let me look. I found it! I tried it on and it was long enough but for comfort I wanted to size up. I got online and ordered that night. It was supposed to be in on Thursday but when I checked Saturday morning it was in Chicago! How in the wold did it go from Dallas to Chicago... complete wrong way! My back up plan was perfect and I was grateful because it was very cold and I probably would have froze in a short dress anyways.

After the banquet a few of us went back to our house to play Cards Against Humanity. It was my first time playing and it's hilarious! It's definitely a game we will be purchasing.

My planner made it in! Well, to be exact, it made it in last week. I am in love with it! I thought I'd forever be an Erin Condren girl but this planner has made me change my mind and it doesn't hurt that it's also $20 cheaper! I've already used one set of stickers for birthdays. It's Plum Paper and I love the add ons you can get with it. :)  #organized

TWO | FAVORITE PURCHASES & FINDS

Target dollar section Valentine's Day finds! Hooray!

I saw that this tunic was a Must Have according to Pinterest Told Me To and I was hesitant to buy it because I have an odd body and tunics usually don't fit like they say. I'm 5'7 with long legs and a long torso... basically most dresses are too short and most tops hit me above the belt! I did not think it would work but I decided I'd buy and just return it if it was too short. I really wanted something to wear with leggings. Friends, it's perfect!! I've already ordered two more! I ordered a medium for length and probably could have got a small. And yes, I need a new mirror, it's on our 'living room to do' list! :)

This scarf. Would you believe me if I said it was from Academy and less than $10. Yup. I love it. And it comes in black, white and pink. Good job Academy. 

THREE | FAVORITE POSTS

I shared my January to do list (last week) and I've been able to check most of that off! Yay me!

 I shared my Momfessions on Tuesday. That was fun. My aunt text me the next day to tell me she had just found a high school graduation card for me with money in it... from almost 8 years ago! ha! Momfession, y'all!

 Pssst.. Mel at the Larson Lingo is giving away a $100 Etsy gift card. I don't know about y'all but I could do some Etsy damage with $100. Go check it out. :)

 

FOUR | FAVORITE SHOWS

Soooo, who's all a fan of The Royals?? I'm obsessed with it. I cannot believe how it ended and having to wait until fall for season 3 is going to be the death of me! What?! I love it.

Of course, The Bachelor. Y'all ready for the Twin on One? Will he keep both, one or none?! What do y'all think? I think that would be super awkward!

FIVE | FAVORITE FUNNIES

I totally do this to Tate all the time!

Yes, please! I love me some Chick Fil A!

This link on how to pronounce some Texas towns and places! Some of these I didn't even know.

And lastly, did you see Dakota Johnson on Jimmy Fallon? I lost it at "this is Bubbles!"



Happy Friday, Lovelies
Leah

Sweetly 3

I have had this post titled and blank for so long; weeks before she turned 3 and now, over a month later, I'm posting. I'm not sure I was quite ready for it and perhaps I thought postponing this post would slow down time. However, that wasn't the case; it was inevitable. 

How in the world is it possible that on December 15 my tiny baby turned 3? I wish I would have kept up with growing updates on this blog, but 3's a good number to start with, right? :) Anywhooo, I applaud you if you make it all they way to the end (I did add a ton of pictures if you'd just rather look at my sweet baby)!

To my Sweetly 3,

 I love watching you grow, but oh how I wish you would just slow down!

Time flies. And it flies too fast for my liking sometimes. This is one of those times. I wasn't ready for you to be three. I took that much harder than I took one and two. I'm not sure why I didn't cry on those birthdays but you better believe that I cried on this one. I also happened to see this commercial on the morning of your birthday, maybe that's why I had such an emotional day. We'll just go with that. That was my graduation song from Memes and I lost it! Luckily your daddy was behind me and didn't see the crocodile tears come rolling down my cheek or he would have never let it down. 

Maybe it's the fact that I love this age, not that I didn't love one or two, but who you are right now is my favorite! If I could bottle up 3 year old Brylee and keep you forever, I would, no doubt! 

I love that you want to cuddle for at least 5 minutes each morning after I wake you up.

Speaking of waking you up, I love that you're just like your daddy and want it super dark until you're ready to see the light.

And speaking of light, I love when you wake up and see that the suns up because that means 'it's time to get up!'

I love that you still have dance parties with me and don't think I'm crazy. In fact, you ask me to dance with you all the time!

I love that you aren't quite ready for school yet, even though I think you are. You always just want me and it melts my heart every day.

I love your heart. You LOVE big with everything you do. Whether its Palace Pets, Layla and Dustee, or even the leaves on the bush out front, you love it big! I hope you always love like that.

I love that your a people person like daddy. You will talk to just about anybody that will talk to you.

But, I love that you can be reserved just like me! And daddy made the comment yesterday that you definitely get that attitude and temper from me. When we don't want to be touched, we mean it! :)

I love that you're so petite, although you are super hard to buy jeans for! I mean I will always love your ruffle girly pants, but you look like such a big girl in jeans. Tall and skinny!

I love that you're so smart! Even your pediatrician was super impressed with your development. Your nerd of a mama is lovin' this! Brains will get you a long way, cupcake!

Speaking of smart, I love that you love to read! I mean LOVE it! I hear 'read to me' about 200 times a day! Of course that's an exaggeration, but you really do love it.

 I also love your athletic abilities. Girlfriends got an arm on her! Daddy always said you would be a volleyball player because of your height and he just might be right. You also love to dance and play soccer, which makes mama happy too. But, of course, you can do whatever Brylee feels happy doing!

I love how you sing. You sing about anything and everything. The sky is blue, let's sing about it! You have an Elf, let's sing about her too! Right now it's all Christmas songs. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer is your favorite and instead of Cupid you say Cuper and it makes me giggle every time!

I love that you're an entertainer. You want all eyes on you, and right now, you got it!

I love your laugh. It's so contagious. That big smile, too! 

I love that you are such a girly girl! You love all things princess.

You're world pretty much revolves around all Disney Princesses, Palace Pets, My Little Pony, and even Paw Patrol!

 You love makeup. And you love your hair to be done too. You ALWAYS want a bow! You like ponytails and braids AND just embracing your curls. They are so pretty and I'm always asked if I curl your hair.

You love coloring and puzzles. You will do the same puzzle over and over again until you match it with no mistakes and your coloring ability amazes me! You're beginning to be a perfectionist. :)

You love cooking in your kitchen and mine! You are always wanting to help me with whatever I'm doing, including dishes. You're favorite is when I let you pour the sugar when we make tea, yes I'm serious!

You love Layla and Dustee and they have the same feelings towards you. It took Dustee this long, but she finally came around and she greets you every day when you come home from school. It melts my heart!

You are such a home body! You do love to go places, but home is your favorite place to be. When we are out doing something, when you're ready to go, home is what you're talking about.

I love how you talk. Your little voice is so sweet. Some of my favorite things you say are:

-gorl instead of girl

-yesteryear or lasterday when you're referring to yesterday

-when something is wrong you 'have a terrible problem and need me immediately' like when the gel decals fell off the door. :)

-and daddy's personal favorite 'my daddy didn't raise no fool'. He is so proud of this and I'm just waiting on you to embarrass him with it.

My sweet, sweet girl. That's how I coined the term Sweetly 3. Yes, you are a total threenager at times, but for the most part, sweet sums it up. Although I said I would bottle you up right now for forever, I cannot wait to see what joy you bring us this year. If I kept you just like this, I'd never be able to see everything your capable of.

I love you, Brylee Nichole Smith!

Happy Birthday!

Love, Mama!

And just for some birthday fun, I decided to survey you every year on your birthday, starting with three, of all your favorite things, according to you! :)

Color: Pink and Purple

Toy: Treasure (a Palace Pet)

Food: Mac and Cheese

Snack: Apples and Marshmallows

Drink: Apple Juice

TV Show/Movie: All of them

Outfit: Entire Closet!

Game: ABC on LeapPad

Animal: Horse

Song: Old McDonald

Book: Little People Places

Friend: MooMoo

Holiday: Christmas Eve

Restaurant: Rosas

What do you sleep with at night? Bubbles (a deer) and Bunny

What do you want to be when you grow up? Dancer