a theory on carousels

 I've got this theory about carousels. It's pretty much just that they are only the best, underrated amusement park ride ever, and that a little man lives inside them and just runs around in a circle to make them go. All they do is spin around, but man they do it with pride. Growing up, there was this massive carousel at Ridgeway Mall. And by massive, I mean like could easily hold up to 100 screaming kids & parents. It was gold and shiny and all things magical in my opinion. There was especially this one thingamajig that spun around & the faster you turned the wheel, the faster it spun. I was such a fan of that thingamajig that for my 13th birthday party, I simply wanted to take a group of girls to spin around in said thingamajig. It's never been a question if I've been a killer party thrower. You can see why. So, this past weekend, my parents and sisters family decided we'd spend the day at the zoo only the weather had other plans for us. The rain stirred us to Incredible Pizza & we made a day of it. Stuffed our faces with mediocre pizza and salad annnnnnnnnnd soft serve ice cream. We walked into the kiddie game area and there it was. The carousel. By the time we made it over to ride, C was having to force his little eyes to stay open. First spin around he was in shock of the lights, second spin around he had one finger in his mouth debating if this was "fun", third spin around the carousel sucked him in and that boy was in heaven. Safe to say, I've got an Evil Kenevil on my hands. He rode that joker a good three times. Last night in his sleep he kept chanting carousel, carousel, carousel!!! Okay, I might have made that last part up, but I'm pretty sure if he could talk, that would be his song for days. Friday was a good day.

 ^^Saturday we shot our adoption profile video. It was incredibly awkward, but our good friend is amazingly talented in all thing video and such. Can't wait to see it.

 ^^Great grandparents were in town. Burgers were consumed. And little boy was spoiled.

 ^^weekend went out with a bang. Coffee with little boy and a sweet friend, church, and community group. Just so thankful for the people I get to do life with. And the carousels I get to ride along the way. Okay, I know that was cheesy but just go with it.

meeting goals, the weekend, and other random things

Normally, I might apologize for the randomness that is about to occur in the form of this blog post, but it's Monday so I won't... that's a legit excuse, right?

 ^^too early in the morning on Friday, I met up with my sisters for our final run in our 5k training. Needless to say, it was completed. This chick right here ran a whopping 3.8 miles that morning in my personal best pace. If you would have asked me 3 months ago if I would ever run a 5k I woulda laughed in your face. I just had no desire. But then my sister asked us to do it and like any good sister... I secretly whined to my husband but joyfully told her yes.... sister award for me please.

It's been such an incredible journey. I never realized how much is would push me, challenge me, and down right exhaust me, but completing goals feels waa to the ayyyy good. Feels like forever ago I wrote this post. On to training for a 10k. Then to train for the half marathon. Sheesh, what have I gotten myself into...

To celebrate our 5k accomplishment, we did what any respectable girly sibling group would do... we had a Mexican food feast, painted our nails, and talked in Australian accents while watching Pitch Perfect. I just really feel the need to befriend Fat Amy. I think we could be bff.

Major thanks to my seesters. those two are my best friends.

Saturday came and brought a pizza and movie day in bed with C and the husband. It also held a cookout with some church friends & me devouring down on some pioneer woman salsa. That stuff is crack in its most organic form.

Sunday meant me waking up in my sleep to get this ^ picture. Seriously have no memory of doing that until I looked at my phone. Guess I really liked my walls? or the sun coming in? not sure what was going on there. &&& then I get to church and my shoes break. Sweet friend brought me a pair to wear. I woulda thought the day to be shot if it weren't for one heck of a convicting sermon and the best community group time ever.

I'll end on this note... I promise you sometimes I think I look like Michael Jackson... or Joan Rivers. Don't you see it in that pic of me pointing to my shoes. I know I'm making a silly face, but it's totally channeling MJ. I'll just go with its a good thing? Like maybe I'll inherit his dance moves too, or I'll have my own talk show one day... mostly I'm channeling that I can never, ever get a nose job. If so, I'll be a MJ impersonator for life.

oh, and it's the LAST day to enter this giveaway!!! An adorable necklace & a blog design... yes please! Winner Chosen TOMORROW:)

So it happened. FINALLY

So I realize that I somehow let a whole week go by without blogging. Opps. To say that I've been busy would be the understatement of the year. Last week I met up with two different girls for discipleship and a sweet time of encouragement and prayer. So thankful for a husband who encourages me to have community. But I also had something else going on... just my BFF'S wedding that's all:)

She was absolutely stunning. These are a mixture of iphone & the fancy pants camera. I know it's a little much but I mean... it's her wedding. It's like blogger code to have a bajillion pics in one post when one of your bff's get married? right? yes.

 She was stunning.

 ^^corset battle. We totally conquered.

 ^^these two ladies mean the world to me!

 ^^photobomb of the century right here.

 I totally failed to capture all her AMAZING details but that's what her real photog is for. Everything from the different cakes & pies, handmade tassels done by yours truly, the outdoor living room, custom corn-hole game, and the rockin photo booth were sooooooo darling. This girls wedding is one for a magazine fo sho.

 ^^The weather was perfection and they catered BBQ so basically it was a southerners delight.

 ^^seriously stop the cuteness

 ^^SO many people I love up there. And that girl on the bottom right... yeah, total blog world meets real world! Loved finally meeting Whitney is person:) She even blogged about the wedding too!

 ^^I did you a favor by narrowing this down to two. I did have 5 images, but I mean that smile. Can't even.

 ^^I'll be featuring a blogpost about that girl Emily up there. You will die when I do. Just get ready.

 ^^I just need to brag on my man for like a quick sec. He took care of C friday and saturday so this little momma could run around doing wedding stuff. HE is the apple to my sauce. Love him so.

 Everything about the ceremony and reception went off without a glitch. It was a magical day no doubt. Thank you sweet Al for letting me be a part of your big day. I love you, Mrs. Holcomb!!!!!!

That one time I was a famous artist... kinda

 friday:

 Saturday:

 Sunday:

This weekend was one for the books. So much family time with my favorites.

D i v i n e.

Friday I finally splurged on a dress at Target I've been eye balling. By splurge I mean I finally convinced myself to use the gift cards I've been saving since Christmas. We take gift cards very seriously around here. They. Are. Gold. Speaking of gift cards, husband and I planned on using one that night for a date night, but last minute we followed our inner calling (read gut) and ventured to Gus's Fried Chicken. It's a famous local place that husband I had never had the pleasure of devouring... that is until Friday night. Oh. my. There is something sooooooooooo right (regardless of what doctor's say. dumb doctors) about eating all fried food. Pickles, Chicken, Fries and mac n cheese smothered in who knows how many cheeses. I'm salivating at the thought. Afterwards, we stopped by my sweet friends to see their new place. C almost crawled. It was eventful.

Saturday, I overslept thanks to a sleepless night of endless craiglist searching....why don't I live in a city that takes mid century modern furniture more seriously... But got ready fast enough to go with my mom and sisters to the A-Fair a town over. It's basically one giant craft fair with circus food thrown in for good measure. Why? Because any event in the south includes fair food. It's the law, I'm pretty sure. Free puppies were being given away. I alllllllllmost convinced husband that we needed her. He's a real stickler sometimes. And I had kind of a star moment. We walked into a boutique and a painting I had sold at a yardsale was marked up and being sold. Pretty sure the owner was  embarrassed. I mean, I painted that joker in high school and totally didn't think anyone would pay good money for it... did you see it? A joke people. Nonetheless, they asked me to sign it and said I should start painting more for them to sell. I think they were just being nice since they were pretty much caught red handed buying goodwill items and selling them for high costs. Oh well, I walked out of there with the most darling hand made quilt you've ever seen for only 30 bucks. They probably stole it from a nursing home:) I kid. I kid. We finished up the day with a cook out at my sisters with some of our church friends. Hamburgers and the hobbit. Yes please.

Sunday, Husband preached (always a favorite), I went to my sweet friends wedding shower (girl in the middle.. she's gunna be a smokin bride), sadly watched the Grizz lose their first semi finals game, and ended the night with my church family and stuffing my face with blackened fish and wild rice.

Hope your weekend was splendid and filled with as much food consuming as mine was. Little sad how much I love food and blogging about it. Does it count that I started the 30 day shred back? I'm gunna go with a yes on that one.

You are my Wiggle

I am your parent, you are my child
I am your quiet place, you are my wild
I am your calm face, you are my giggle
I am your wait, you are my wiggle
I am your audience, you are my clown
I am your London Bridge, you are my falling down
I am your Carrot Sticks, you are my licorice
I am your dandelion, you are my first wish
I am your water wings, you are my deep
I am your open arms, you are my running leap
I am your way home, you are my new path
I am your dry towel, you are my wet bath
I am your dinner you are my chocolate cake
I am your bedtime, you are my wide awake
I am your finish line, you are my race
I am your praying hands, you are my saving grace
I am your favourite book, you are my new lines
I am your nightlight, you are my sunshine
I am your lullaby, you are my peek-a-boo
I am your kiss goodnight, you are my I love you

Author: Maryann K Cusimano 

I love everything about that poem. Perfectly represents Mother's Day in a small way.  

 ^Mother's day with the greatest little boy. SO thankful he made me a momma.

Mother's day weekend was simply perfect. Josh did yard work AND kept C while he let me go out and shop.  Yep, I got me a good one in that man.

Sunday was not only Mother's Day, but it was also Canaan's baby dedication at church. He rocked that cute little bow tie and talked the entire time we were at the front of the church. He's going to be ham. I just know it.  So thankful to spend the day dedicating myself to being a Godly momma to that little boy. SO thankful all of our family came too! So blessed.

C the church gave me that sweet tulip. Josh gave me paint. Yes... for mother's day the man gave me paint from Lowe's. And this momma is on fire about it. I've been wanting to paint my dining room and bedroom for some time now and that man has delivered. He's true keeper y'all.

Oh and the winner of the giveaway is.....

had to provide a screen shot of the winner chosen so people out there wouldn't think I just chose her:) Random.org has spoken and that girl won fair and square. Didn't win? You can still go buy BEEBS moccs (click on the link in my sidebar). They are crazy awesome and you need a pair. Promise...

Want to win another giveaway? Stay tuned... I got a few more coming!!!!!

Linking up to Just because