{Friday Five} 2-16-18

{THIS WEEK IN BOOKS}

I am reading The Smallest Part by Amy Harmon, and I’m loving it so much. My evenings have been busy, so I’m not as far into the book as I’d like to be. The only reading time I’ve had all week is when I’m on the treadmill. I’m hoping to make some time to relax and read on Sunday.

When I was able to sit down and read a little bit on Tuesday – with the Amy Harmon mug I won in a giveaway.

 

{ON A PERSONAL NOTE}

Tonight I need to do grocery shopping, laundry and get everything ready for the dance competition tomorrow. Honestly, I’m more nervous about tomorrow than Sunnie. I keep worrying I’m going to forget to take something, like one of her costumes. I’m super organized, but this first competition has me wound up. And of course I want Sunnie to have fun and enjoy the experience.

 

{STAY THE PATH}

I’ve had to move around my training days a bit this week, because of my work schedule and needing to be in the office several days. Looking forward to my long run on Sunday. I’ll especially need it after the next few days.

 

 {GET IN MY CLOSET}

Target strikes again, but it was under $15!

A New Day Long Sleeve Plaid

And I love this camo sweatshirt I found on Amazon.

 

{RANDOM}

 

Hope you all have a great weekend, and thanks for reading!

{Friday Five} 2-9-18

{This Week in Books}

I am reading these two books and loving them.

Excited about a few new books I got this week.

  

 

{Stay the Path}

Week 4 of half marathon training. Ran 5 miles last Sunday, which was the longest I’ve run in about a year. I was really nervous about my hamstring, but I have learned to slow down my pace so I don’t overdo it. I’m also wearing a wrap around my leg when I run, which I think is helping. Another 5 miler this weekend, and then next week it increases again.

 

{On a Personal Note}

This week has been fairly normal. I was fortunate to be a parent helper in Sunnie’s classroom on Tuesday, and was able to have lunch with her. We had a snow day on Wednesday, and we’re supposed to get hit with more snow today. Sunnie has a play date/sleepover with two of her dance friends tonight. Nunz and I will go grab some dinner, but we don’t have much else planned. Depending on how much snow we get, I don’t plan on going out this weekend unless it’s absolutely necessary.

 

 {Get in my Closet}

My bestie told me about these jeggings from Old Navy. I LOVE them.

Super Soft Pull On Jeggings

 

{So Random}

I know not everyone is a fan of JT, but I’ve been a fan of his music for many years. I am absolutely loving Man of the Woods. Every single song.

 

Hope you all had a great week!

{Friday Five} 2-2-18

{This Week in Books}

I got a few new books this week that I’m excited to read.

  

{Stay the Path}

Week 3 of half marathon training, and it’s going well. I’ve been sticking to the schedule, which is a mix of running and cross training, with 2 rest days every week. I’m using the elliptical for cross training days, and I’ve been working on stretching so that I don’t have an unwanted hamstring injury again. I was able to run at the park last Sunday for my long run day (which was only 4 miles). Good thing Monday’s are rest days, because I was feeling it. 😀

{On a Personal Note}

We painted the bedroom last weekend, and I love it. Here are some before and after pictures.

 

 

A few other highlights of my week – our new living room furniture finally being delivered, and meeting my bestie for lunch – we were way overdue for girl time.

This weekend we have a lot of dance stuff going on. Practice on Saturday morning and a full dress rehearsal all afternoon on Sunday. First competition is only 2 weekends away!

 {Get in my Closet}

These camo joggers from Amazon and denim shirt from Target.

   

{So Random}

Have you watched the video for Say Something by Justin Timberlake and Chris Stapleton? You need to. So so good.

Link to video

Several months after getting a new iPhone, I finally figured out how to use the portrait mode. And have been annoying my cats with photo sessions.

Charlie and Mollie

Hope you all had a great week!

{Friday Five} 1-26-18

{This Week in Books}

I’m still reading The Serpent King, and it’s really good. I was in the mood for a romance and picked up The Difference Between Us. I absolutely love it – it’s exactly what I needed this week.

{Stay the Path}

Earlier this week, a friend pointed out that I’m way too hard on myself. I know I am, and it’s because I’m so terrified of gaining all my weight back. It’s a constant fear that I will always struggle with. But I also know that I’m strong and determined and there’s no way I’ll allow myself to go that far backwards. I preach the importance of giving yourself some grace but need to learn to listen to my own advice. I love food and that’s never going to change. I’ve learned how to live a healthier lifestyle while still enjoying things I love, in moderation. The scale doesn’t define me, and I need to stop focusing on how I gained a couple pounds over the holidays and focus on how much healthier and happier I am. I know I’ll eventually lose those pesky pounds by being consistent and doing the things I’ve been doing the past 3 years, so I’m done driving myself crazy about it.

{On a Personal Note}

It was a normal week, finally! We’re all feeling better, for the most part. Back to work and school and our normal routine, and it feels great!

This weekend we’re planning on painting our bedroom, and I can’t wait! All of the small changes we’re making to our house make me so happy. We’ve starting talking about the landscaping, too, and if the weather cooperates we may try to do some of it sooner instead of waiting until spring. If we keep getting some warmer days we’re going to take advantage of it.

 {Get in my Closet}

I was on the hunt for a great pair of distressed jeans and one of the bloggers I follow recommended these. I love them.

Distressed Jeans

I’m always looking for the perfect black leggings, and another blogger I follow recommended these. They fit exactly like Lularoe and are a great price.

Black Leggings

{So Random}

I can’t say I’m all that excited to watch the Super Bowl, except to watch Justin Timberlake during the halftime show. I can’t stand the Patriots.

Random photos from the week. Look at my cat’s face. She cracks me up. And Sunnie reading a book and drinking coffee, but it’s really water. #minime 😀

 

Hope you all had a great week!

{Friday Five} 1-19-18

{This Week in Books}

I finished a couple books this week, so not a bad week of reading. Started reading The Serpent King, but haven’t gotten very far. Everyone is warning me to have a box of tissues close by.

{Stay the Path}

I started the first week of half marathon training, and I like the schedule so far. The next few weeks will be the real test for me, as the mileage starts to increase.

I love this sign I found on Etsy to hang my bibs and medals on. I hung it in my little running corner of the basement, so it’s good motivation for me.

{On a Personal Note}

Sunnie’s test results were negative for mono (yay!), but she has still been really sick. Another doctor’s visit and they finally put her on antibiotics for a sinus infection. The worst of it has been the coughing – it’s hard for her to sleep through the night, and I’ve had to keep her home from school a few days. She’s been miserable, and I feel so bad for her. Thankfully, I think we’re FINALLY turning the corner after a few days of having the antibiotics in her system, and I’m hoping to be back to our regular routine next week. This craziness has been going on since Christmas – I just want us all to stay healthy!

Really glad the weather is going to warm up a bit this weekend too, even though it’s only going to be in the 40’s. I’ll take it!

 {Get in my Closet}

I’ve found my new favorite workout clothes. I don’t know why I’ve never tried Old Navy’s active wear before now. I used to shop there all the time, but haven’t in the past few years. After a friend recommended their yoga pants, I went onto their website and found out they were having a big sale! I ordered a couple pairs of pants and several tops, and I LOVE them!! They fit perfectly and are so comfortable.

  

 

Mesh-Trim Run Leggings / Color-Block Compression Leggings / Lightweight Pullover Hoodie / Relaxed Performance Hoodie / Loose Fit Jersey Tunic Hoodie

{So Random}

I came across this article earlier this week and thought it was a really good read. One of the points it talks about is being digitally distracted. As one of my goals for the new year, I’ve been really trying to focus more on being present. I’m just as guilty as the next person of being on my phone more than I should. I’ve been making a conscience effort to only check my phone certain times a day – during my coffee ‘breaks’, on my lunch break, and before bed (after Sunnie is in bed). The hours when Sunnie is home, I’m giving her my full attention, and only when she’s having her screen time (Kindle, iPad – which is limited to a certain amount/time a day) do I pick up my phone. I always want her to know she’s most important, that she can talk to me about anything and ask me anything, that I’m always here for her, even if it’s just asking me to read a book with her or color with her, or just sit in her room while she’s playing. I know these moments are fleeting as she’s growing up so fast, and I’m really trying to focus on them now. Even when I am sleep deprived and frustrated, as I’ve been this week, I know it’s important to slow down and just be present.

Parenting is hard, and I worry about failing my daughter on a daily basis. We do the best we can and hope it’s enough. 🙂

Hope you all had a great week!