Condiments ON-THE-GO

I've been sharing all of my kiddos' lunches on Facebook and I am getting lots of questions about different things that I have been sharing.  Today, I shared their "sketti" spaghetti and garlic knots lunch, with a side of parmesan cheese. I LOVE having little containers for sauces, salsas, dressings, dips, and in this case seasonings. If they don't use every bit of it today, I can keep it stored in the fridge and reuse it for another lunch idea.

Lilah Bolling - 5th Grade - First Day Of School!

My beautiful girl has entered her last year of Elementary School.

Back-To-Work....

We interrupt our back to school photos, ALREADY, to announce that Darren has been working 7,387 days at Bolling Steel! LOL! I knew he'd be envious of all the signs everyone was holding, so I made him one too!

#MundainTrain #GroundhogDay #AdultLife #BackToSchool #PureComedy #HusbandGoals

I Officially Have A High Schooler!

WOW! Just wow! Summer is gone. G-O-N-E.  I cannot believe it.  I officially have a high schooler now and my twins are in their last year of elementary school! What-The-What!!!!!!!?? As usual, one of our back to school traditions is taking photos the DAY or DAY before. Trying to capture a few good photos the morning of NEVER works! And the weather is always so unpredictable so I enjoy setting aside some time to capture my children, in their back to school clothing, in a less stressful time frame/environment.  

Punny LipBoss!

I love PUN gifts. They show that you did't run out last minute, scrambling for anything that doesn't make sense, and that you put a little time, effort, and creativity into a gift. Just another reason I love my role as a LipSense Distributor.  I get to use my other talents for my customers, creating unique gifts!

Lilah Welcomes Fourth Grade!

My beautiful girl is growing up so fast.  Before I have time to sneeze, she'll be heading off to middle school.  Ugh, I am truly not sure if I am ready for that. It's so different having a daughter versus having a son.  The emotions are so different.  As are the ways I handle things. They just are.  I never thought I'd say that.  I hated when my dad would allow my brother to do things before I could (I am the oldest).  

Lilah couldn't have made me any happier during this back-to-school photo shoot.  

She acted just like herself: a little spit fire, filled with spunk and personality.  

I purchased many outfits for her FIRST DAY. I took a small poll, which included my top, four, favorite outfits. It was pretty much a tie, neck and neck, between the outfit she's wearing above and the outfit below that included pearls.

I allowed her to have the final say.  I also allowed her to decide on how she wanted me to do her hair. She exclaimed, "I want a semi-high ponytail and I want you to curl a few pieces with the curling wand, to hang in the front."  Works for me! I wanted to do 1 of 2 other styles, but I needed to practice them, but ran out of time. I was also NOT sure that I would have time to successful do those hairstyles, the morning of the first day, so STAY TUNED for some challenges that I am putting myself up against, in the future, with her hair.  

 This girl fills my heart with gladness.

"Bring on 4th Grade!"

Right before I took these photos, it was TORRENTIAL DOWN POUR RAINING.  I knew it would stop fast and look what arrived for US, right when the rain subsided.  A RAINBOW!!! I took this as a sign, from God, that this girl's fourth grade year would be as beautiful as a rainbow!!!

Oh and we painted her fingers and toe nails PINK.  I used her gel polish machine.

How cute are her wedges?  I want a pair so bad.

I feel like, in the below photo, she is saying, "HOW is Summer over already?"

Her book bag was purchased like three weeks into the Summer.  When I saw it, I gasped for air.  I couldn't resist it.

I loved so much about it.  I loved that a pair of lips was hanging off it. I mean, what mini lip boss doesn't love lips?

I also loved all of the mix and match fabrics, textures, and patterns.

I just LOVE it and so did LILAH! This book bag, surprisingly, was found at Gabe's.  It was designed by Betsey Johnson.  

And then, when we spotted this CUTE, panda bear pencil pouch, I HAD to grab it.  It matches the book bag perfectly.  Do you want one just like it, for your daughter? Click here to order.  

My sweet, sweet girl, how I love you so!  You are my hardest happiness, but just BECAUSE our female hormones are already in competition.  BUT... you have a personality that is LARGER than life. You are more talented, in so many ways, than you will EVER KNOW.  If I had to choose one person in life, who's shoes I could walk in as a child, it would be YOU! You're adorable, loving, kind, tell it like it is, protective of your loved ones, and have talents above and beyond your age, not to mention a confidence, that to this day, I don't have.  I live life through you! NOT meaning I make you do things that you don't want to do, because I once wanted to do them and couldn't, but rather, I get to watch you do what YOU LOVE and what I once wished, as a little girl, I was either able (financially) or had the talents to do it.  I know you will rock fourth grade.  Just remember that "pretty is as pretty does" and promise me that you will do all that you can to HONOR OUR KING, Jesus.

Jax Welcomes 4th Grade!

BE completely prepared for a JAX OVERLOAD in this post, but WHO CARES!!! He is COMPLETE eye candy! I was able to snag this cutie pie, take him around the corner, to an area of shade, and take some back to school photos.  

I am so excited about the way the photos turned out.  

I absolutely LOVE his smile, his eyes, his dimples, and this boy's heart.  

Fourth grade baby, here he comes!

He aims to please his momma and he gets an A+ for this photo session.  

The photo below is my FAVORITE!

I really hope this school year is "EPIC".  

His outfit, surprisingly, is from Crazy 8. I didn't plan on this being his outfit actually, but at the last minute, I decided that this child has such a good sense of fashion and I felt confident he would chose something adorable to wear. So, I allowed him to pick out his outfit.

If you like this outfit, you can shop it, below.

Shirt

Shorts

Hat

Also, just a little plug to Heidi Swapp's items.  If you DO NOT own a lightbox, do yourself a favor and get one! They come in SO HANDY during times like this, in addition to baby showers, birthday parties, lemonade stands, bridal showers, and so much more!

Jax was very pleased with his first day of school! He likes his teachers, he is happy with the friends he in his class, although he really misses his buddy Matthew! He came off the bus with a big smile.  I know fourth grade is pretty intense, academically.  I am thankful that my little buddy is strong academically, so I trust he can handle the workload.  We remind our children every day to focus on personal growth, ways they can love their peers, especially the less popular, serve their school, and honor the Lord.  Jax very rarely disappoints Darren or I.  I have not doubt he will continue to on that path.  We love you, Jaxon!

Ty Welcomes 8th Grade!

My first born started his last year of middle school, yesterday.  YES! That means, that next year around this time, I will have a high schooler.  I can't take it. We didn't make a big deal out of his first day.  He's just too cool to be bothered.  He did pick out his outfit.  Ty's shirt was brand new, from Hollister Company, but his jeans and shoes were not. I think he wore both about 2 times. You can find this tie-dye logo, graphic tee here.

His book bag came from Nike.  He chose the Hoops Elite Pro Basketball Backpack. When it arrived, I was slightly bummed. The website says, "White, Metallic, Cool Grey", but it is DEFINITELY more white. I can't wait to see how dirty this thing gets.  

As you may already recall, I do back-to-school photos a few days before school (or at the very latest the day before), but this year, I ran out of time with Tyson.  AKA Fort Nite ruins everything.  He truly gave me 35 seconds to snap photos, on the first day of school.

 I'm actually pretty pleased.  He's looked sharp! I still can't believe I have a teenager.  

I did do my traditional locker decorating/organizing for him, BUT Ty was at church and could't come with me, so I surprised him! When he got home, he asked for photos and I said, "Photos of what?"  He said, "Did you take any pics of what my locker looks like?" (Kid knows me well). I said, "NO!  I Just put your stuff in there and left." SO, he was quite surprise, but not surprised that that wasn't true.  He knows where his bread is buttered.

Darren came with me and I was so glad.  Ty's football coach let us in, on Sunday, and he lead us to the 7th grade floor, so his locker combination wasn't working for that reason. Notice the change in locker colors? Ty's were supposed to be maroon.   

I organized his binders in rainbow color order, maroon, green, forest green, navy, and black.  Yes, I know, it may not stay that way, but I still had to do it. I included snacks: life savers for stinky breath, jolly ranchers, ice cubes gum, mini lara bars, cheez-itz gripz, and double bubble gum.  

 I also left him a note with my cute, lipstick washi tape.  

 I meant to ask him if that embarrassed him.  Haha.  

He said that people were already grubbing off of him.  Sigh... So I am just projecting these items will  not last long.  LOL!   

I pray Ty's year is amazing. We want him to show love and kindness to all, to serve his teachers, and the teams he plays on to the fullest, and to work hard to receive the best grades he is capable of.  It goes without saying, but my biggest hope is that the Lord uses him to share the love of Christ with anyone and that he doesn't shrink back from being a rebel for Jesus, instead of a rebel for the world.