A Family Affair

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had so much for yesterday, you're getting this a day late. But hey, that's what holidays are about- being with loved ones, eating yummy food, and forgetting what time it is.

How fitting that Thanksgiving fell on a "Thursday Latelies" day, when we already talk about what we're grateful for and loving.

Today, I am surrounded by family that I love dearly. We don't get the opportunity to spend holidays together very often, so this weekend is a massive treat. Below is my favorite shot of the day. A rare photo with lots of our family.




Life is sweet, and as I looked around yesterday, I realized that there is far more beauty than there are things to complain about. The gifts in my life, the people I know and love, and feeling in the air yesterday pleasantly forced me to stop, and take in all of the good in my life.

Allow me to welcome you into our Thanksgiving extravaganza. Meet my family, and see what I'm loving this week.





"Icy" Festive Centerpiece

I broke my rule of not decorating for Christmas until after Thanksgiving, and decorated a few days early. With family in town and the fun chaos that happens when you're busy having a great time, I didn't think I would have time to decorate like I usually would this weekend, so I started a few days early to get the show on the road and THIS gem is what I started with. I swear you'll have people guessing what is making it look icy. AND since it only takes you 5 minutes, it's as easy peezy!
Below is a picture or my rendition.





Breaking Dawn

This was definitely a highlight of my week. Easily the best movie of the Twilight series yet. I won't say anything, but if you haven't seen- Go. See. It.
Below is the preview to tide you over if you haven't seen it yet, or give you inspiration to go see it again- which I plan on doing.

Reactions: Cyst Popping

Consider this your warning! The follow video is absolutely disgusting. I didn't even come close to watching the whole thing. I almost puked about 30 seconds in. So, if you decide to watch it, I am not responsible for anything that happens. The only reason I am posting it, is so you have context to the silly reactions of my family. However, watching the video is not necessary to get a laugh out the my other videos. Seriously click "play" at your own risk!



Though the video is beyond nasty, getting a video of my family's reactions to seeing it, is priceless. So join me in laughing at the awesome shock my family had in seeing this video for the first time. It happen to think it's hilarious.

Dad's Reaction

Round 2



Now that I have completely grossed you out...

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and were able to really focus on all there is to be grateful for. There's a lot.

Thanks for joining us for our Thanksgiving!
~Jessica

Thursday Latelies- Hunger Games, Freakin' Red, and a Big "Boot" Thank you!

Welcome to this week's Thursday Latelies!
It was a good week over here. See why!

On March 23rd, 2012 the "Hunger Games" movie hits theaters. The official trailer has been released, and I am officially going crazy over it. Check out how amazing it's going to be, in the video below!

 I'm rocking "Red Carpet" lip stain by e.l.f. (or "Freakin' Red," as I like to call it) this week, and I'm lov-ing it. Especially with my mustard scarf.
Rich. Warm. Fall. Winter.
Those are a few words that come to mind when I think of that color combo.

Try the lip stain in any color you like, it's great!

Layla even likes it ;)

 

Let's talk boots!
Thank you everyone who responded with great suggestions on where to get boots. Seriously, I SO appreciate your recommendations. There are some really awesome sites out there for boots.

A BIG "thank you" to Lindsey from Merely a Mouthpiece for suggesting UrbanOG as a place to look for boots. Winner! I found the boots I was looking for, and did two day shipping because I was so excited. Here they are. This site is great for inexpensive, fashionable clothing, accessories, and of course, boots! Thank you, Lindsey!  A starbucks gift card is headed your way!

Here are my new lovelies!

My Little Model- Perfect Fit!

"Traditions are an anchor."
What are your holiday traditions? What are your "anchors" that make celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas meaningful to you?

I'm excited to share with you, in the coming weeks, some of our family's "anchors" -things that are important to us.
The Holiday's are sure wonderful aren't they?

Happy early Thanksgiving!
~Jessica

Thursday Latelies- Boots and Leg Warmers Please!

Did you have a good week?

What are you loving?

This week I love boots. Boots are just...perfection.

I'm no fashionista. I like shopping, and getting new things, but I feel like I'm simple, and functional, instead of "Mrs. Super Style." I'm not really edgy or adventurous with what I wear, but I always think it would be fun to have lots of style. Well, a good pair of boots makes me feel that way; makes me feel like I'm one step closer to being "hip." The fact that I just used the word "hip" is proof that I'm not that cool when it comes style lingo.
Boots are fantastic, and my love for them is growing exponentially.
I can feel my wallet getting thinner as I dream about all the boots I want to put my feet in.

But, since I don't have a money tree growing in my backyard, I have to pick and choose what I get, when. See the pair of boots that are making me really happy, in this week's Thursday Latelie video.







I love my new boots! I'm so glad I finally pulled the trigger. I know we're only talking $35.00, but like I always say, I'm cheap, and this was a splurge for me. What do you think?

My gray boots have given me a serious boot itch.

Help! Where do you find your cute, fun, and awesome boots? If I end up buying the boots from where you suggest, I'll send you a Starbucks card. For reals. Under $50.00, and they have to look somewhat like the below picture.
Leg warmers too! I love the buttons on them. Where would you suggest getting leg warmers? Same deal for those. You tell me where to find the pair, and I end up buying them from where you suggest, Starbucks is coming your way! Please, help a girl out!!!

 



Leg Warmers                                          Back Zipper Boots


These beauties are another one of my "must haves" for less than $30.00, I'd say it fits my "cheap" category. Do you like? What would you wear them with?




Luna Bars are a great, on-the-go, morning (for me) bar. I am filled up for a few, it doesn't sit heavy, it tastes great, AND it's good for you. All of that in one tiny little bar.
They are sold in most grocery and health food stores.
Try one!


'Like Calvin Klein's CK One? You'll love our "U." '
It's true folks, the imposter smells just the same, and it's about a millionth
of the price of the original perfume.
Memories of my seventh grade year, came flooding back to me when I sprayed this again after years.
I love how it smells... still.



Remember how I said that we were headed to the park?
Well, here are a few pictures of our fun day. It was an absolutely stunning day.










Now go find me some boots, friends!
~Jessica

The Journey of Together

There was a desert that beckoned, we heard its call,
"Come walk through my land, and I'll show you it all."

We answered the call and stepped foot in the dirt,
leaving behind our familiar earth.

We traveled for awhile in this dry land,
and enjoyed the days of feeling the sand.

The colors of the sky, and the smell after the rain
were a few of the things that helped us sustain.

We did our best to plant our feet
we thought that would help to make us complete.

But security was lost, and sanity was questioned.

We knew right then, strange things were about to happen.

Unexpectedly, we found that our feet needed a different ground beneath.
We flew back to the place we knew would bring peace.

We said our goodbye's, we experienced deep pain,
for we knew that things wouldn't be quite the same.

With baby in tow, and just few months left for the next one to grow,
a new journey began, in a beautiful green land.

We ended up back, right where we had started.
But as we arrived, we found this "familiar" place had become uncharted.

There were doubts, fears, and pain as we began again.
Mapping out a new path can be lots to tend.

Putting the pieces back to together was such a task.
Searching your soul is a lot to ask.

As the days went on, slowly we found
a brand new way to put our feet in the ground.

We stumbled, we worried, we shed a lot of tears,
but when all that faded, we were the best we'd been in years.

For through desert, and through the pain
you often find that a rainbow remains.

Nothing is perfect, nor will it ever be
but hope, freedom, and forgiveness has happened to me.

What we found through all of this time
is that the strength was always there, just waiting for us to find.

We've opened new doors, and much has been restored.
We've found, oh how we've found, abundantly more.

Our life is not about where we are
The journey of "together" can take you near or far.

The journey of "together" is the willingness to rearrange,
to love deeply through any sort of change.

Our feet are in wet ground now, instead of the sand
and though it's been tough, there's so much more we understand.

It took the desert to show us all we know today.
Though we didn't remain there, I'll always say...

"The desert was good to us, I still miss the colors.
Without answering its call, we wouldn't know how to be together."

Thursday Latelies- Come With Me!

Today, you get to come with me for my Thursday morning routine.

It's a longer video, but you get to see more spinets of my life, and I had fun being with you all throughout my day.

So, welcome to my world!






We're getting into the Christmas spirit already!
Bobby and I had fun this week starting our prowl for some good Christmas presents for our kiddos. If you have young kids, what kinds of things are you planning to get them? We'd love some idea!
  We also did the whole "Trick or Treat" things with our babes. So fun! Holidays are really rich and meaningful with kids. Seeing their joy is indescribable. It's like being a kid all over again.
Here are a few pictures of our soccer player and "Tinkerbell" on Halloween.

Washington, sweet Washington, how I love thee.
My status update from yesterday sums it up...

"Wowza- Today marks two years that our family has been back in WA... Grace, growth, strength, restoration, wholeness, freedom, joy, gratefulness, peace, and hope are just a few words I think of when I reflect on these last 2 years."

It's been quite a ride, but I wouldn't change a thing. Here's lots of more years of feeling all of the above, no matter where life takes us.


Mac and Cheese
HERE is the recipe! This is the ultimate comfort food. Seriously. Try it.
Thanks for the recipe, Jayme!

Fresca and I have reconnected this week. It's crisp, citrus-y, and totally refreshing. If you want a light drink, that's carbonated, super delicious, AND has no calories, this is a drink for you!


That's it from me! See you next Thursday!
~Jessica