remember when...

8:55 AM

remember when I had a blog and I would post things?
Yeah, I do too.
this summer has been crazy.
I kinda feel that since having Q we are traveling a ton more and doing a lot of things.
it's fun, but it's tiring.
and I have enjoyed just trying to live in the now and not worry about blogging.
even though my Mom sends me emails about how I need to post.
Hi Mom!

life lately.
well.
my baby turned one.
so there is that.
we had a "preppy whale" themed party.
yes, it was actually called that while I was searching decor.
we had so many friends and family over and I felt so blessed that they love my little boy that much to come and watch him just sit there and attempt to open his presents.

my mom came and stayed with us for 11 whole days.
it was so great being able to spend some one on one time with her.
I have missed that so much since they have moved.

we went up to Michigan to stay with the hub's grandparents for a family reunion.
they LOVED being able to spend time with Q.
it was so special watching them love on him and cater to his every need.
it was a much needed time away.

I have been struggling a lot lately with being a "pinterest mom".
I may have just made up that term.
it can be a thing right?
anyways,
I feel sometimes like if I am not making this project or that project or my house doesn't have a specific DIY coffee table, then what the heck am I doing with my life?!
Or if Q isn't doing some toddler craft or playing with homemade play dough (which he can't because he still eats everything) then I am a horrible mom.
But that couldn't be anymore far from the truth.
we are living in the now.
learning how to stack blocks.
playing outside.
going on long walks.
checking off our summer bucket list.
and just enjoying each other.
and if I can attempt a pinterest project, then great.
so there is my little soap box for this post.

I hope your summer is going splendid.
I hope you are enjoying every single minute of it.
Fall is just around the corner.
I can't wait for pumpkin spice lattes and apple orchards.

1 comment honesty, random, thoughts

life lately

9:35 AM

We have been trying to soak up every ounce of sun that we can.

Quade has decided that he would now rather fast walk/run.
He will then fall flat on his stomach because he gets going too fast.
He will sit back up look at you and laugh.
Funniest thing ever.

Last week the hubs and I ended up with a cold/allergies and it was awful.
The only good part was that he stayed home two days from work.
Reinforcements for nap time rock.

My sister-in-law graduated high school and had her party last Sunday.
So proud of that girl.
She graduated with honors and will be attending U of M Morris this fall.

We had Quade dedicated to our Church with another couple and their little boy.
We feel so blessed to be a part of Harvest Bible Chapel.

For Father's day we grilled and headed to the lake for the first time this summer.
Quade was a little unsure.
With the waves coming in, the water being a bit cold, and a ton of people, he wouldn't leave Chet's side.
He did however find it extremely fun to stick his hands in the sand and grab handfuls.
He did not however find it very fun when the hubs had to grab handfuls of sand out of his mouth.

We are headed up to Ely this weekend for our first camping trip.
I hope it goes well.
I hope that Quade actually sleeps.
I also hope that we don't get eaten alive by mosquitos.
I hate those stupid bugs.

My Mom comes to visit in less than 2 weeks for 10 WHOLE DAYS!!
I can't wait.

I hope you are enjoying the week.
First day of summer this friday!!

1 comment church, random, thoughts, weekend

skin care

7:51 AM

I hope you don't mind, but I am going to but on my cosmetology hat and talk skin for this post.
Before I attended beauty school, I never used professional products.
I colored my hair out of a box.
Used bar soap to wash my face and whatever lotion was on hand was used as a moisturizer.
That worked fine for me.
But I'm getting older.
I'm starting to see fine lines and grey hair.
AGHHHHH!!
And ever since having a baby, my skin has changed.
That's normal!!

There are so many products on the market and sometimes it is seriously overwhelming.
I have used Mary Kay, Estee Lauder, Clinique, Origins and Dermalogica.
When I worked at a Spa we used Dermalogica for our clients.
My word.
What an amazing line.
Now, not every line works for everyone.
I think if you have found something that you LOVE, are seeing results and don't want to change...
DON'T!
Product lines have step ups.
So if you feel like your current skin care routine is lacking something, try a step up from what you are using.
Also, a skin care system was invented to do just that.
Work as a system.
You get the most benefits as a whole when you use products that were meant to go together.

Skin care products can be expensive.
Now that we are only bringing in one income, I felt ashamed wanting my favorite line back.
But I know that when I have nice looking skin, I feel better about myself.
So I started asking for skin products for special occasions.
The hubs thought it was a dumb present, but once I explained that it was important to me, he caved.

Below is the skin line I am using.
I will give a run down of how to use it and why each product is important.
One of the best things about Dermalogica is that high end spas use it and it doesn't have an absurd price tag.
Dermalogica believes in something called "face mapping"
It's done by a skin therapist during a facial and is SO beneficial in helping you nail down the correct products for your exact skin needs.

Pre-Cleanse

Benefits:

Removes oils without clogging pores.
Conditioning essential fatty acids nourish skin.
Enables your prescribed Dermalogica Cleanser to work more efficiently.

I swear by this product.

I have a lot of small white and black heads and this helps break down the oil (which are white and black heads) and remove debris from my skin's surface.

Some would think that this is not necessary and a waste of money.

But you cant break down oil with water.

You fight oil with oil.

So by massaging this oil based "cleanser" you are breaking down excess trapped oil underneath the skin.

Specail Cleansing Gel

benefits

Washes away impurities without stripping or drying.
Calming agents help soothe and purify skin.

I love this cleanser.

After I use it my face feels SO clean.

It's a soap free foaming cleanser so it doesn't disturb your skin's natural moisture balance.

All skin conditions can use this cleansing gel.

Daily Microfoliant

From the website:

Gentle, daily use exfoliating powder for all skin conditions. Unique Rice-based powder formula activates upon contact with water, releasing Papain, Salicylic Acid and Rice Enzymes that micro-exfoliate dead cells, instantly leaving skin smoother and brighter. Our unique Skin Brightening Complex helps to balance uneven skin pigmentation while a super-soothing blend of Green Tea, Ginkgo and Colloidal Oatmeal helps to calm the skin, leaving it extraordinarily clear and refreshed. Gentle enough to use on a daily basis.

benefits

Removes dulling surface debris and evens skin tone.
Reveals brighter, smoother skin.
Gentle enough for daily use.

After using the pre-cleanse, special cleansing gel and then the daily microfoliant, I feel like a new person.

My skin is super soft and glowing.

I kid you not!

Multi-Active Toner

benefits

Helps even out skin porosity.
Optimizes moisturizer absorption.

A toner helps condition the skin and prepare it for proper moisture absorption.

I like to spritz this over my face halfway through the day just to give my face an added boost if it's hot out or my skin looks a little dull.

It doesn't smear or ruin make up.

Multivatamin Power Firm

benefits

Increases skin elasticity and firmness.
Protects against moisture loss to help minimize fine dryness lines.
Shields against free radicals to help prevent environmental stress.

Since having Quade my eyes are all sorts of tired.

As soon as I put this on, my eyes feel wide awake and actually look awake!

I feel this actually helps with puffiness too.

The eye area is the thinnest and most sensitive skin on our face.

By adding a targeted moisturizer to the eye area, you are helping to prevent saggy and droopy eyes and severe lines.

Dynamic Skin Recovery spf 30

benefits

Provides long-lasting hydration and critical protection against UV light.
Helps control the triggers that lead to skin aging.
Blends smoothly into skin for a perfected finish.

It is so important to have a moisturizer with SPF.

After all, sun damage is the biggest contributor to damaged looking skin.

I like this moisturizer because it isn't heavy and it doesn't sit on top of the skin.

It leaves my skin feeling hydrated but not sticky or oily.

So why all the products?

Like I said before, things work as a system.

They go hand in hand.

Start with the cleansers and work into the rest of the line.

Dermalogica in no way paid me for this review.

I just thought it would be nice to give a run down of what I found gives me the best looking skin.

It is expensive.

But it is worth it in my opinion.

Keep in mind... this is what works FOR ME!

Everyone's skin is different.

Why don't you treat yourself to a Dermalogica facial and get face mapped and try some samples and see what you think?

Leave a Comment beauty, random, thoughts

Thank You, Friday...

2:09 PM

... for FINALLY getting here.
You are by far the best day of the week.

I made those Nutella Cinnamon Rolls.
I could have eaten the entire pan.
But I didn't.
I was nice and saved some for the hubs.
That's a huge deal.
I love sweets like no other.
And I didn't devour every single morsel.
I'm making progress you guys.

They were the easiest things to make.
Took me like five minutes to put them together and then the bake time.
Perfect for a quick, warm breakfast.

Mine ended up looking NOTHING like hers.
But they tasted so good, I didn't care.

I took Q to the park the other day.
This is the face I got when I was trying to swing him and take a picture at the same time...

He was not impressed.

His sense of humor and personality crack me up daily!

He is working on cutting some more teeth.

I have no idea where, he refuses to let me anywhere near his mouth.

We are one step closer with our big plans.

It's so exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time.

At the end of the day though, I keep praying that we won't lose sight of HIM and continue to move forward keeping that in mind.

One last picture from our park trip.

Poor boy doesn't know what to do outside.

Our lovely bi-polar weather has us indoors most days.

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hiatus

1:03 PM

A lot has been going on and I just have not had time to blog.
I'm not really that sorry.
When I first started blogging I thought I needed to do it everyday so people would continue to read.
But I have realized that I blog to share my heart and a glimpse of our lives.
Not for lots of page views.
This summer will have sparse posts.
I am trying to do more with Quade since he likes to move ALL THE TIME.
So I am hoping to post once a week.
If I have something good to share that is.

Lately...
Our big dream is getting closer to reality.
That means I can finally share what is going on.
It also means we are continuing to trust God's plan and it is NOT easy.

Quade turns one in July.
When did that happen?!
I can't wait for his party.
To celebrate his tiny little amazing life.
I love birthdays.
Almost as much as I love Christmas.
Almost.

My season 3 of Downton Abbey came into the library this week.
I know what I'll be doing this coming rainy week.
CAN"T WAIT!!

It's a three day weekend and that means the hubs is home an extra day and we couldn't be happier.
I have nutella cinnamon rolls on the menu.
I promise to blog about them if they are delish.
I don't see how they couldn't be though.

Hope you have an amazing long weekend.
I know we need it, I'm sure you do too!

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weekend re-cap

6:19 PM

It's been a long time since I have written.
Ok, not like super long.
But long enough.
After we got back from our trip out west, it was all about trying to play catch up at home.
Getting Q back into a schedule.
Laundry.
You know, the fun stuff!
Our trip was wonderful.
San Francisco is amazing.
Q was absolutely perfect.
The wedding was emotional and beautiful.

This weekend was perfect.
It was my first Mother's Day and I felt so blessed.
We started off Friday with a date night and it is what our marriage needed.
Such a peaceful night.
Saturday consisted of omelets for breakfast and a meeting with the hubs mentor.
The meeting went better than expected.
CAN'T WAIT to tell more!
Sunday morning involved scones and a BOGO at Caribou.
Church, and delicious brunch cooked by hubs.
Planting some flowers, or attempting to.
Grilled kabobs and celebrating my sweet mother-in-law.
It was a perfect weekend.

Ready for a picture overload?
Pictures from our trip and this weekend.