Currently...

It's been a solid eight months since I last wrote a post like this, so I thought I was due for another! Here, a look at the things I am currently...

Loving...the photos my dear friend captured for our family photo shoot this year. I'm sure most mommas could agree: the hours (days? weeks?) leading up to family photo shoots can be a leeeeeetle stressful #firstworldproblem (please imagine me rolling my eyes as hard as I can at myself here). I spend way too much time envisioning coordinated clothing for my peeps and then crossing my fingers we get a few good shots from the session. And you know what? I don't know why I stress. For starters, it's family pictures. I mean, come ON, Lindsay. I think it's because I treasure the images so much, and love seeing our family grow and change year after year, that it feels so important to me. But in the grand scheme of things? It's family pictures, Lindsay. Chill out, already. (Can someone re-direct me to this blog post next Fall when family pictures roll around?). But also? My girl, V, has a gift for making magic out of mayhem. She is so good. And she worked her magic this year. <3 Here are just a few of my faves (I also used a few to update my blog header, as well as on my tab pages, all listed above :) ). 

Reading...I just finished Girl, Wash Your Face (so good!), am about to start The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah (author of The Nightingale, which is great!), and am currently reading Created for Connection and Grace-Based Parenting. Will report back on all! Oh, AND, my mama passed along the craziest book to me a couple months ago, called Bird Box. It was so different but I could.not.put.it.down. And then I passed it on to my friend, who also devoured it, and then she passed it on to her mom. And guess what....we just found out that Netflix is releasing the movie of it, starring Sandra Bullock, in December! We cannot WAIT to watch it, right Megan? Right? ;) 

Waiting for...Halloween fun!!! I can't wait! Halloween is my favorite social media day of the year. There is just NOTHING cuter than kids in costumes!!! Bring it ON!

Excited about...an impending getaway with my hub. So, so excited!!! With the chaos and craziness that is life with four littles, it is easy for the focus to be taken off one another. So, I am ecstatic to have a couple days with just him and me. Tomorrow morning, we are headed to the mountains. And then we'll be spending the weekend with our college best friends, watching our Clemson Tigers take on Louisville. And I cannot wait! <3 And a big ol' thank you to the best Nana and Pop in the world for hanging with My Lu Crew so we can sneak away for a few days. We are so lucky to have them! <3

Trying to...become one of those people who can start her Christmas shopping early. But it's like I have this mental block: I just cannot make myself buy a single Christmas gift before Black Friday. Now, if any of y'all hear of any great deals going on before then, help a momma out and drop me a line! Maybe I'll be able to change my ways after all... ;) 

Working on...re-prioritizing my life. Weeding out the unnecessary. Re-focusing my time, energy, and effort where it matters most at this stage of life. 

Enjoying...my Barre3 and my running. Wait...did I say running?! Who am I?! Well, as I've mentioned before, I took up running last year when we first brought Bella home from China and I didn't yet feel comfortable leaving her in the childcare area of my beloved Barre3 (because #attachment. She needed to know she was ours before we left her under another's care to try and avoid feelings of abandonment and insecurity). Anywho, I am not a runner. I did it begrudgingly to get exercise when I couldn't barre. But now? It's a loved part of my weekly routine! I wouldn't say it comes easy to me, but there is just something about putting on a good podcast (which is what I listen to when I run - no music for this girl!) and pounding out the miles. Some days, every single step is a battle to keep going. Other days, I only stop due to time constraints. But always, whether it be running or barre, I feel better having done it. (NOTE: any of my local friends want to hit up Barre3 with me? Let me know! You can try for free. And no kickbacks for this momma. I just love it and think you will, too). 

Watching...a few new shows! At the recommendation of friends, my hub and I just started watching Amazon's Jack Ryan, and we are really liking it! The first season is eight episodes, and I'm told the storyline will wrap up by the end (but also, that there will likely be another season!). It was a little tricky at first to not visualize Jim Halpert trying to pretend to be a federal analyst, but John Krasinski does such a great job as Jack Ryan that it was an easy obstacle to overcome! 

Also, I started watching The Good Place on my flight to Vegas last month and was quickly hooked! I am now all caught up and am watching the new episodes when they air weekly. The acting is fantastic, the plot is funny and clever and different, and I am loving it! A great, light-hearted watch. 

What is not a light-hearted watch? A Million Little Things. And doggone it, I just don't think I can watch it, as much as I want to. It is SO good and reminds me so much of several shows I love (This Is Us; Parenthood; Friday Night Lights). BUT the storyline hits too close to home, and was pulling up too many hard things for me personally, for me to continue watching it. It was just not good for my mental health. So, sadly, I am no longer going to watch it. 

Using...Radiant Defense by R+F. Listen, I don't plug or blog about stuff I am not well-researched in or haven't tried and used for awhile myself. With that being said, I can tell you firsthand that this product is my favorite product I have EVER put on my face. It is the perfect combination of soft, light-weight coverage with a dewy glow, and I am obsessed!!! If you want to try it out, let me know! I wear it every day, including on our recent family photo shoot, and absolutely love the perfect amount of coverage it provides! 

Wearing...my slippers! Yeehaw! I mean, I love me some summer, but there is just something about the first few weeks of Fall that are my favorite. And since the temps decided to take a dive this week, I've been wearing my slippers daily and can often be found curled up under a blanket in front of a fire. Which is exactly what I'm doing as I write this! 

Planning...some seasonal fun! It is BANANAS to me that November will be here tomorrow. I am trying to get my calendar in order but the holiday craziness takes over life as we know it! ;) 

Singing...The Greatest Showman soundtrack. This is our most favorite family movie to watch together, and one of my favorite Pandora stations. Our whole family can belt out these songs by heart, and they just never get old! 

Needing...to offer grace to those who have hurt the ones I love. Gosh, y'all. I struggle with this so much! I ask God for grace all.the.time. for me and my many, many (daily) mistakes. I ask that He forgive me daily. And yet, when someone hurts someone else I love - I hold a deep, stubborn grudge. Or, I try to forgive, but I struggle to forgive completely. How hypocritical is that? "Jesus, please forgive me for my mistakes," in one breath but then in the other, "How DARE he/she do that thing/say that thing/act that way to hurt someone I love?" Jesus, take the wheel. Please make me more like You and less like the hypocritical sinner that I am. Ugh. Anyone else struggle with this? :(

Listening to...some good stuff lately! First, when it comes to podcasts, there's Serial Season 3 (the first season is still my fave but this season is a good one, too) and S-Town (listening to it again! YES! It is that good. John B. Macklemore is one of the most fascinating personalities with one of the most heart-wrenching stories. S-Town is my all-time favorite podcast (it got me through the final legs of my half-marathon)! Also, I listened to two really TED Talks two weeks ago at the advice of a trusted source: Brene Brown's Talks on Shame and Vulnerability. Each is only 20 minutes and well worth the listen. So good!

Learning...about ways I need to make changes to be my best self. I have high hopes that 2019 will be a great year, full of good changes and a fuller life with a more Christ-like heart. <3

Doing...the ol' closet swap-a-roo. Now that the weather finally changed, I've spent several hours going through clothes that are too big, too small, and just right for my four little nuggets, taking inventory of what they still need as the colder months approach. Almost done!

Wishing...we could solve this one medical mystery that still has us scratching our heads about Bella. Luckily, we have a fantastic pediatrician who is working with us to make the right referrals to try to finally get to the bottom of this mystery, once and for all! And I will be less elusive (i.e., less annoying) once we hopefully get some answers. 

Dreaming of...Christmas break, when we have a couple weeks off to just enjoy each other's company with no homework nor studying nor therapies nor extra-curriculars. And at this rate, it'll be here before I know it! 

And that's a small snapshot of my life...currently! Have a lovely rest of your week, friends! And Happy Halloween! :)

Cheers to the Weekend, Three Days Later Edition

Whoops! I didn't mean to take a little blog break last week, but alas, sometimes writing takes a backseat to other things. For those who reached out to ask if I'm okay, YES! Actually, more than okay as a super fun week lies ahead and I can.not.wait.!!! Before that, though, a few things that I'm saying CHEERS to this post-post-post-Friday day...aka Monday (and by "a few" I mean, overload starts...now) :

Trunk-or-Treat. Yesterday was our church's first annual Trunk-or-Treat, and the kids were pumped for an extra opportunity to wear their costumes and score a little more sugar. Try as I might, there was no family costume this year. BUT there was some similarity! Raleigh has said for months she wanted to be "Wendy" from Peter Pan. And every Wendy needs her Tinkerbell, right?

And Harrison wanted to be "whatever Banks is going to be." Y'all. This little boy ADORES his big brother. He thinks he hung the moon. So, when Banks said he wanted to be "an army guy," Harrison wanted to be an army guy. And then, when Banks changed his mind and wanted to be "a ninja," Harrison changed his mind and wanted to be a ninja. And so that's what they are this year: My two clandestine ninjas!

Halloween fun. There is more Halloween fun on the horizon, with "Book Character Day" at school on Wednesday for Banks and Raleigh and Halloween parties at school for Harrison and Bella. We have also checked a couple more items off our Halloween Bucket List, including going on our annual family Halloween 'Hood scavenger hunt and attending on our neighborhood's "Creepy Crawl." We can't wait for the grand finale in just two days!!

Farewell Flag Football. Well, Banks' flag football season has come to an end after a neck-and-neck semi-final playoff game on Saturday. My sweet boy was in tears when it ended. He just loves playing so much. And I love cheering for him and watching my hub coach him and his teammates. My hub was actually away at a guys weekend and drove back in early Saturday morning to (defensive) coach the (game and then drove the hour back to the guys weekend after that. <3 I am sad our season is over BUT am looking forward to a week (maybe two? a girl can hope!) of no sports practices...until basketball begins...

Ember CLT. Last week, one of my girlfriends and I giddily attended a quarterly event held in Charlotte called "Ember." We were so excited to attend that Thursday night because a speaker and author we love, who had spoken at a women's conference we attended a few years ago, was the guest speaker: Jennie Allen. Jennie is a fantastic speaker and has written several books I have read and loved, including Restless. We loved listening to her speak and worshipping alongside 1500 other women. It was a great night. <3

School pictures. For the love. Go ahead and take all my money, school photography companies - I was melting when I saw these cute school pics this year (and yes, I ordered them all). 

Twine & Twig. Last Friday, two girlfriends and I surprised another girlfriend for her birthday. One of my friends was able to arrange a surprise visit to Twine & Twig's private studio, where every piece they sell is handmade and shipped. It was amazing!!! Seeing the women creating necklaces while we were there, looking through and trying on so many beautiful pieces, and then each buying a new necklace (and being gifted with a special trio bracelet stack)? It was something we won't soon forget. Happy Birthday, Jenn! We love you!

Half Marathon? Check. Y'all. I did it. I ran a half marathon. And I am going to share more about it soon but for now? I did it. And there is nothing like crossing that finish line and then seeing your favorite faces in the world standing there to greet you. More on that soon...

Randomness. Let's see...we had an awesome, cavity-free dentist appointment for the kiddos (and celebrated with milkshakes, of course!); Banks and his daddy hit up Scarowinds last Friday with two great friends; my hub and I attended an engagement party for my cousin just a few hours after I crossed that half marathon finish line (and like an idiot, I wore heels); Banks accidentally wore MY jeans to church (insert face palm emoji); we surprised Rals and she's headed to NYC with her daddy on her first airplane ride tomorrow; Bella continues to work hard in therapy; only one cheer game remains for Rals....yeah...randomness, alright. ;) 

And now? Off to keep this Halloween week rollin'. Have a great start to your week, friends! And Go Tigers!!! :) 

Cheers to the Weekend, All Things Fall Edition

Happy Fall Friday, y'all! Hasn't the weather just been divine this week, all my Southern friends? Absolutely delightful, I tell ya. It's really put us in the Fall mood over here! I'm ready to share a few things we're saying CHEERS to as we welcome in the weekend...but wait. First, I feel I must confess. I know this won't be a popular confession based on all the superfans I see left and right, but I'll feel better once I get this off my chest. Are you ready? 

I despise the movie Hocus Pocus. 

Gasp! Is anyone still here reading?

Or, did everyone abandon this post when I shared that confessional?

Y'all. We watched it as a family over the weekend. I was SO excited to watch it after hearing SO MANY people rave about it for years! But guys...what in the actual what?!? It was awful. And listen, I love me a throwback movie: Never-ending Story; Breakfast Club; etc. But this was just SO bad. The plot, the acting, the everything. And, in my opinion, it is SO inappropriate for kids, what with all the talk about being a virgin (and making fun of a teenager for being a virgin!). It'll be a hard pass the next time I see it on our channel guide!

Whew. I feel better. Now, what we're saying CHEERS to: 

Halloween decor. I swear, our neighborhood decorates harder for Halloween than for Christmas! In a couple weeks, there'll be a "Creepy Crawl," wherein we'll ride on a tractor pulled hayride with our neighbors and check out all the decorative lore. There will be a Halloween-decorating contest. And don't even get me started on actual Halloween night. It.Is.So.Fun.!!! It's one of the nights I love our neighborhood most! So, we put up our Halloween decorations over the last week. And while they are meager compared to the beautifully scary job so many of our neighbors do, it still makes us feel festive. :) 

Hat Day. Our sweet town is in the process of constructing an amazing, all-inclusive playground for all children to use that will be accessible for any and all with any sort of special needs or who are differently abled. To support the fundraising, my three FMES-ers got to pay a donation and wear a hat to school one day this week. Win-win for all!

LIFEGroup. Five years ago, my hub and I sheepishly joined a couples LifeGroup, and it has been one of the best decisions we've made as a couple. We are now four couples strong and meet together twice monthly - praying together, growing in our faith together, and supporting one another through all of our highs and lows. We love our people so, so much. Last Friday, we had a (delicious!) dinner and fun night together at one of our favorite taco restaurants that has the prettiest outdoor seating. I am so thankful for our peeps and am excited to continue to grow with them over the years to come. <3

Fall Frolic. Every year since we moved to the Mill six years ago, we have gone to the Fall Frolic as a family. It's one of my favorite October traditions. There is horseback riding and gem-mining and corn mazes and, well, all the things you would expect at a Fall Frolic. The temperatures were lovely, the crowds were low that day, and we had a blast!

Lost tooth. BIG news over here: Finally, at 6 years, 9 months old, my Raleigh Jane lost her first tooth! Y'all. This girl is so tough and has such a different personality than her big brother, Banks. She hardly flinches at pain and tends to be the brave one of the bunch - rocking any rollercoaster she can find; pretty much taking care of herself when she has a stomach bug; etc. So, it should come as no surprise she tried her hardest to pull that baby tooth out herself. In the end, her dad pulled it, and she was so, SO excited to see her new smile!! 

And that's that! One quick, superficial prayer request: Tomorrow morning, I'll be running my first every half marathon. If you have a minute, could you send up prayers that (1) I don't experience any joint pain (knee, ankle, hip) during the race; (2) I am able to run the whole thing without stopping (I'm not concerned with my pace - I just want to run the whole thing, no matter how long it takes), and (3) the weather is kind to me (forecast is calling for rain in the morning with some fairly cool temps)? 

On a significantly more important prayer request note, would you also send up prayers for some dear friends of ours, who delivered a beautiful baby boy (their second handsome son!) last week? He has been battling some significant health concerns since his arrival. I'll keep the details private here, but please pray for precious Cole and his amazing parents. We know that God is the ultimate healer and miracle maker and have faith He will restore Cole to full health so that he can live a long life and share the inspirational testimony of his warrior beginnings. <3

Thank you friends! Have a BEAUTIFUL Fall weekend, and GO TIGERS!!! :)